1.1UPDATED- ETHEREAL KNIVES CRIT & MAP GUIDE - ES TANK w/ CHAOS INOC- LVLING INFO + PASSIVES + VIDS
Hey. I'm new to the game and trying to figure things out as I go, and was looking for some advice on potential directions to take this build.
While leveling my summoner I played a lot with cold spells to keep mobs slow so my zombies can hit them easier and I enjoyed them and noticed most of the good ones were projectiles. I decided that I really liked this build and wanted to try it, but I wanted to add some cold damage potential, both for maintaining the Added Cold Damage gem with Ethereal Knives to keep mobs slowed / frozen and to keep the possibility open of going more straight cold damage if I feel so inclined. I have two small variations to your build that I am debating on and just wanted to see if either was worth constructive input. Here are the builds I'm bouncing between:
This is very close to the build you are using currently, but I get Ghost Reaver and spend some points on cold damage. I also add 3 Power Charge nodes to get a higher crit chance with the knives to ensure constant chilling/freezing. This build has a lot of ES but I worry about it's survivability with what I believe will be very low mitigation. I understand that stacking armor is considered better than evasion in the end game, though that could be wrong, and with that in mind I made the following second build option:
This sacrifices the added ES from the Templar section for goodies from the lower tree such as increased knives range from Ballistic Mastery, decent projectile damage and reflect insurance with Vaal Pact, but the main draw of this build would be a super high evasion rating all converting into armor, with the added mitigation of Mind Over Matter.
I do not know how necessary going that far down the tree for that much mitigation will be, though, and I do not know how much damage I would actually be giving up. I am having a hell of a time deciding which route to go, so just figured I would see if anyone here had ideas or criticisms. I dont post on any forums, ever, so sorry if I messed anything up and about the giant wall of text.
This build is going in the wrong direction. You have to skip the templar side and go full ES/EV with proj speed nodes & ES cooldown increase bonuses. Unless you'll die too easily.
I Do think Scion is better for EK since you'll save a lot of INT nodes with %mana bonuses. EK is very hungry. It Starts to shine really with a 5L and with 2 weapons (a 2H and 1H+shield= single target or EK). Scion is also close to projectile bonus you have in the ranger field.
Last edited by OneInchPunch#6183 on Nov 23, 2013, 4:59:47 PM
Hey. I'm new to the game and trying to figure things out as I go, and was looking for some advice on potential directions to take this build.
While leveling my summoner I played a lot with cold spells to keep mobs slow so my zombies can hit them easier and I enjoyed them and noticed most of the good ones were projectiles. I decided that I really liked this build and wanted to try it, but I wanted to add some cold damage potential, both for maintaining the Added Cold Damage gem with Ethereal Knives to keep mobs slowed / frozen and to keep the possibility open of going more straight cold damage if I feel so inclined. I have two small variations to your build that I am debating on and just wanted to see if either was worth constructive input. Here are the builds I'm bouncing between:
This is very close to the build you are using currently, but I get Ghost Reaver and spend some points on cold damage. I also add 3 Power Charge nodes to get a higher crit chance with the knives to ensure constant chilling/freezing. This build has a lot of ES but I worry about it's survivability with what I believe will be very low mitigation. I understand that stacking armor is considered better than evasion in the end game, though that could be wrong, and with that in mind I made the following second build option:
This sacrifices the added ES from the Templar section for goodies from the lower tree such as increased knives range from Ballistic Mastery, decent projectile damage and reflect insurance with Vaal Pact, but the main draw of this build would be a super high evasion rating all converting into armor, with the added mitigation of Mind Over Matter.
I do not know how necessary going that far down the tree for that much mitigation will be, though, and I do not know how much damage I would actually be giving up. I am having a hell of a time deciding which route to go, so just figured I would see if anyone here had ideas or criticisms. I dont post on any forums, ever, so sorry if I messed anything up and about the giant wall of text.
Hey there, checking out the builds they look pretty good. Though you might not want Arcane Vision unless you are skipping out on CI. CI = full life so your vision will always be good. The one thing though is these do have a lot of skill points too so you will have to prioritize your stats. Another thing added cold damage gem might not be the best think linked to EK itself, hatred aura can add a lot of damage but the damage from added cold damage gem might not be too much compared to EK scaling. There may be more efficient links but if you are going for the cold damage it might work out pretty decent. I have never really tried that myself. :P
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Zuleran wrote:
Without purity i would heavily need cold resist and probably a bit more fire but my lightning resist is okay. However if i use discipline i can't use the spell totem skeletons due to mana, which is really my only chance right now of surviving certain elites and such. Also what is the easiest way to find gear you are looking for, i've been wanting to spend some of my currency but i have no idea what anything is worth/don't know where to browse for item.
Also should i be prioritizing gear or xp at this point? I can do piety runs with maybe a couple of deaths for better loot, but i can farm docks pretty safe even though the xp is getting a bit dated.
Poe.xyz.is is a good search site thats hooked up to the trade forums. Aside from that trade chat or make a topic on the buying section for your league. If you are able to maybe clear some of the easier 66 maps that might be better xp. They shouldn't be so bad aside from Dungeon monster wise but it would be worth skipping some bosses in the maps. If you want xp it'd be better to stack more defensive stats so you don't lose the xp earned over say luxury stats such as IIR / IIQ.
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OneInchPunch wrote:
This build is going in the wrong direction. You have to skip the templar side and go full ES/EV with proj speed nodes & ES cooldown increase bonuses. Unless you'll die too easily.
I Do think Scion is better for EK since you'll save a lot of INT nodes with %mana bonuses. EK is very hungry. It Starts to shine really with a 5L and with 2 weapons (a 2H and 1H+shield= single target or EK). Scion is also close to projectile bonus you have in the ranger field.
Theres more then one way to build a char. This is more crit orientated. Scion can do a variation with pact decent. Honestly the differences are whichever character you would prefer to play.
Last edited by terrex#7466 on Nov 23, 2013, 6:18:59 PM
Trying this build now, kind of just rushing through the game trying to level up and then buy some gear (not spending now because the gear will be outdated).
600 hp, 800 es, 950 dps at level 50, act 3 cruel. Probably a waste of time :)
Well, just want to point it out that this is a really good guide.
Currently level 74 doing maps (lvl 66, yet). This is my second character that reached Merciless, and first one to do maps!
6k+ ES, 4k+ DPS with DPS gear / 3k with some MF, 75% all res.
EK is really great, you can get really good defense and decent DPS without spending lots of currency.
Please, keep updating this guide so people like me (new and poor) are able to enjoy the game!
Trying this build now, kind of just rushing through the game trying to level up and then buy some gear (not spending now because the gear will be outdated).
600 hp, 800 es, 950 dps at level 50, act 3 cruel. Probably a waste of time :)
How are you managing in cruel? Are you clearing at a decent pace? If you ever have trouble if you can maybe post your gear or links I might be able to help.
"
SirLawliet wrote:
Well, just want to point it out that this is a really good guide.
Currently level 74 doing maps (lvl 66, yet). This is my second character that reached Merciless, and first one to do maps!
6k+ ES, 4k+ DPS with DPS gear / 3k with some MF, 75% all res.
EK is really great, you can get really good defense and decent DPS without spending lots of currency.
Please, keep updating this guide so people like me (new and poor) are able to enjoy the game!
Thx for the post and support. Glad to hear you are having a good time and made a successful mapping character. :) Will do my best to keep this updated. :D
Trying this build now, kind of just rushing through the game trying to level up and then buy some gear (not spending now because the gear will be outdated).
600 hp, 800 es, 950 dps at level 50, act 3 cruel. Probably a waste of time :)
How are you managing in cruel? Are you clearing at a decent pace? If you ever have trouble if you can maybe post your gear or links I might be able to help.
Kind of alright. Spent 5 chaos on a new belt, wand and shield so I'm now at 700 hp/1200 es/1200 dps ek.
As for the speed, this is my fourth char and all of them are pretty bad at killing things quickly. Especially in large parties.
My gear is
Spoiler
Here's my tree, any suggestions on where to go next? Last points went to +6% shield at the bottom.
Also as this is my first time trying so many differenly colored gems it's been a pain trying to get needed socket colors. Had 5 stacks of chromatic orbs before starting this character and now I have 2 orbs left.
Hey. I'm new to the game and trying to figure things out as I go, and was looking for some advice on potential directions to take this build.
While leveling my summoner I played a lot with cold spells to keep mobs slow so my zombies can hit them easier and I enjoyed them and noticed most of the good ones were projectiles. I decided that I really liked this build and wanted to try it, but I wanted to add some cold damage potential, both for maintaining the Added Cold Damage gem with Ethereal Knives to keep mobs slowed / frozen and to keep the possibility open of going more straight cold damage if I feel so inclined. I have two small variations to your build that I am debating on and just wanted to see if either was worth constructive input. Here are the builds I'm bouncing between:
This is very close to the build you are using currently, but I get Ghost Reaver and spend some points on cold damage. I also add 3 Power Charge nodes to get a higher crit chance with the knives to ensure constant chilling/freezing. This build has a lot of ES but I worry about it's survivability with what I believe will be very low mitigation. I understand that stacking armor is considered better than evasion in the end game, though that could be wrong, and with that in mind I made the following second build option:
This sacrifices the added ES from the Templar section for goodies from the lower tree such as increased knives range from Ballistic Mastery, decent projectile damage and reflect insurance with Vaal Pact, but the main draw of this build would be a super high evasion rating all converting into armor, with the added mitigation of Mind Over Matter.
I do not know how necessary going that far down the tree for that much mitigation will be, though, and I do not know how much damage I would actually be giving up. I am having a hell of a time deciding which route to go, so just figured I would see if anyone here had ideas or criticisms. I dont post on any forums, ever, so sorry if I messed anything up and about the giant wall of text.
Hey there, checking out the builds they look pretty good. Though you might not want Arcane Vision unless you are skipping out on CI. CI = full life so your vision will always be good. The one thing though is these do have a lot of skill points too so you will have to prioritize your stats. Another thing added cold damage gem might not be the best think linked to EK itself, hatred aura can add a lot of damage but the damage from added cold damage gem might not be too much compared to EK scaling. There may be more efficient links but if you are going for the cold damage it might work out pretty decent. I have never really tried that myself. :P
Thank you for the response, definitely helpful. The cold damage gem was an idea to allow for easier kiting, but after leveling a bit with it it does seem to be scaling very poorly compared to the physical damage, so I will probably drop it.
My main concern with deciding between the two specs, however, is how much mitigation will be required? I do not plan on grouping much, if at all, so survivability is a concern for me. With your current build, do you notice mitigation being a concern at all? Do you have to rely exclusively on skeletons for distractions, or can you take a few hits without dying? My other character being a pure summoner, I would like to avoid using minions unless absolutely necessary, so I would like to be able to mitigate some hits. A 5k ES pool is nice, but not terribly helpful if you're getting one-shot.
So I guess my question is, in your experience, can the templar-area spec survive decently well in high-end maps with just evasion and ES without relying on skeletons, or would the armor from Iron Reflexes be required for that?
Atm I'm loving this build.
Many thanks for sharing.
But I need your help:
What dagger is better?
More spell damage but less Chance 40% Chance + 90% Spell Damage
or
more Chance but less spell damage? 127% Chance + 56% Spell Damage
